Experience

In the NHS as a Specialist Clinical Psychologist, and currently within the private sector, I have worked with many individuals and families experiencing emotional turmoil and distress. This has included working with a wide range of difficulties including: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other anxiety based problems (Generalised Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Phobias), Mood issues, Trauma related difficulties including PTSD, difficulties managing emotions, self-esteem and many more.

I have provided consultation to many Health and Social Care professionals and to those within Education. I have been involved in the Clinical and Research supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists and have taught on both the Clinical and Educational Doctoral programmes at Queens University Belfast.

Qualifications

• 1998 Bachelor of Science Psychology: Queens University Belfast ( First Class Honours)

• 2003  Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: Queens University Belfast

• 2008 Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies - Intermediate Systemic Psychotherapy (Distinction)

• Throughout my career I have completed additional training in many approaches including Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, EMDR to name but a few.

Publications

• Reliability of Reports of Childhood Trauma in Bipolar Disorder: A test-retest Study over Eighteen Months (2016). Journal of Trauma and Dissociation 17 (4)

• The Troubles-Related Experience Questionnaire (TREQ): A Clinical and Research Tool for Northern Irish Samples (2012). Irish Journal of Psychology 28 (3) 183-195

• Enquiring about traumatic experiences in bipolar disorder : A case note and self-report comparison (2011). Journal of Affective Disorders (133) 1-2: 252-5

• Effects of trauma on bipolar disorder: The mediational role of interpersonal difficulties and alcohol dependence. (2008) Bipolar Disorders 10 (2) 293-302